The Music Forward Foundation–a national nonprofit in the Live Nation family, which creates opportunities for young talent in the music industry by mentoring entertainment careers for the next generation–has partnered with Gibson Gives, the non-profit division of the legendary music brand Gibson, to support the unique and impactful annual grant program, the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards.

The goal of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards is to help break down the barriers of access in the music industry, allowing artists to have thriving and successful careers and to promote a more inclusive music industry overall.

The Music Forward Foundation and Gibson Gives are thrilled to announce the ten LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award recipients for 2024. Each recipient will receive:

$3000 Grant
$1000 Gibson retail for an instrument.
Performance Opportunities that include the Gibson Garage Nashville, as well as other venues.
A career mentoring session with singer-songwriter and record producer Butch Walker.
Quarterly Mentorship with the Gibson and Music Forward teams.

Acclaimed artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Trombone Shorty, and Andrae Alexander are past Music Forward program participants and grant recipients. While performers such as Kahlid, Sophia Carson, Lauren Daigle, Martina McBride, Carlos Santana, and Julia Michaels have served as ambassador/mentors for Music Forward: https://musicforwardfoundation.org/. With 45 of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards granted, the new Music Forward and Gibson Gives partnership allows the program to continue to champion diverse voices from all backgrounds and communities, from Atlanta to Austin, and New York City to North Hollywood.